Governments hold third round of discussions on proposed amendments to International Health Regulations (2005)

This week, governments scrutinized more than a third of the more than 300 proposed amendments to the WHO's International Health Regulations (2005). In the third round of intensive discussions under the auspices of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), 196 States Parties, including 194 WHO Member States, , cooperation and assistance, etc., as well as 6 newly proposed articles and 1 new annex[i].

The International Health Regulations were originally adopted to set out agreed methods and obligations for countries to prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies with a risk of international spread. The original International Sanitary Regulations were revised three times, in 1969 (then becoming the International Health Regulations), 1981 and 2005. The third edition of the regulations (2005) was amended twice in 2014 and 2022. The latest proposed amendments are intended to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We made good progress this week, covering more than a third of the proposed amendments and considering key areas such as surveillance and response core capabilities, as well as cooperation and assistance. Three new items on compliance and implementation were also discussed. provisions, as well as new provisions related to the public health response, such as proposals on funding mechanisms, access to health products, technology and expertise during public health responses,” said Ashley Ashley, former Director-General of Health of New Zealand and co-chair of the IHR Task Force. Dr. Bloomfield said.

“COVID has shown the world how vulnerable we all are and what the global public health architecture needs to address if we are to prepare for the next major event. The tone of the discussions at this week’s meeting made it clear that everyone wants to ensure The process has been successful."

During a four-day meeting from 17 to 20 April, the 196 States parties to the IHR underscored the importance of fully considering the proposed amendments, stating their benefits in filling important gaps in the implementation of the IHR, bearing in mind The fundamental importance of the principles of equity, sovereignty and solidarity.

Dr Abdullah M. Assiri, Deputy Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Co-Chair of the IHR Amendment Working Group, said governments are committed to strengthening the IHR for the benefit of every country and every citizen.

"Countries are at the forefront of this process as they implement the IHR, fulfill their obligations, and make the critical decisions needed to respond to public health threats. Together, this week, we have witnessed their proactive approach and building How sex work allows us to move the negotiations forward substantially," said Dr Assiri.

Ahead of the meeting, an independent, multidisciplinary panel of experts prepared a technical assessment of the proposed amendments to assist countries in their negotiations.

The Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) is expected to meet three more times in 2023 (July, October and December) to discuss and agree on amendments and present a set of amendments to the World Health Assembly in May 2024. Proposed Amendment.

While revising the International Health Regulations, governments are also negotiating a WHO instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, also known as a pandemic protocol. The governments will meet again from June 12-16, 2023, to review the zero draft agreement, which will serve as the first draft on which negotiations will be based. The Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) supported the proposal by the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, which drafts the WHO pandemic instrument, to hold a joint plenary meeting of the two bodies.

WHO member states enacted the International Sanitary Regulations in 1951, a precursor to the International Sanitary Regulations enacted in 2005. The International Health Regulations are an instrument of international law that is legally binding on 196 States parties, including 194 WHO member states.